The quote at he beginning of Chapter 7 in the book The Secret Life of Bees addresses the bees having an understanding of sex while having lived celebrate lives like a nun in a cloister.

The quote relates to Lily's emergence of feelings that she begins to experience when she works more with Zack. He is a colored boy and she is a white girl. Yet, Lily begins to find herself drawn to him. She laughs and talks with him. They share an interest of music an youthful things.

Everyday Lily works side by side with Zack and they share communication and laughter. She believes in Zach and his future. He tells Lily that he will not have much of one because he is a negro.

One day Lily gets her first innocent kiss from Zach. She is learning about the birds and the bees.

In the meantime June is also having her feelings of love for Neil. They hang out on the couch and watch TV together. Yet, when Neil keeps trying to get her to marry him she refuses.